Authorities have issued safety warnings to members of the public intending to travel to beaches this weekend as temperates are forecast to reach the mid-high 30°Cs in some parts of the UK.
Public Health England, the Met Office and the RNLI have urged those heading to the beach over the next few days to take care as the country braces itself for a possible heatwave.
The Met Office has issued a heat health alert for parts of England into next week.
Whilst temperature highs across Greater Manchester are not expected to exceed 30°C over the next few days, parts of London and South West England are preparing to see rising temperates of 37°C until Sunday.
This would mean that parts of Britain could pass the threshold for an official heatwave.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Met Office defines a heatwave as “an extended period of hot weather relative to the expected conditions of the area at that time of year, which may be accompanied by high humidity” and the heatwave threshold, which varies depending on location, is reached when daily maximum temperatures are met or exceeded for three consecutive days.
The UK recorded the hottest day of the year and the third warmest day on record last Friday, with temperatures rising to 37.8C at Heathrow Airport in London.
ADVERTISEMENT
The RNLI’s latest safety warning comes after it reported its busiest day for more than four years, dealing with more than 300 incidents.
The institution is asking the public to please #BeBeachSafe
Ahead of this week’s sunny spell, Gareth Morrison – Head of Water Safety at the RNLI – said: “Our coastline is a fantastic place to spend time together as a family, especially when the sun is out and it’s hot, but there are also plenty of potential dangers, especially for those who aren’t fully aware of their surroundings and may be visiting a particular beach for the first time.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are advising everyone planning a visit to a beach or the coast to follow beach safety advice.”
Heading to the beach this weekend? Please #BeBeachSafe and follow these simple steps to protect your loved ones: ? Keep an eye on your family ❎ Don't use inflatables ? ? In an emergency, dial 999 for the @HMCoastguard ? pic.twitter.com/NAIIX2uwEk
Ishani Kar-Purkayastha – Consultant in Public Health at Public Health England – added that: “Many of us welcome warmer weather, but some people may find it more difficult to cope. People recovering from COVID-19 at home, those who are self-isolating, older people and people with underlying health conditions are all more vulnerable during hot weather.”
“This summer, many of us are spending more time at home due to COVID-19. A lot of homes can overheat, so it’s important we continue to check on older people and those with underlying health conditions, particularly if they’re living alone and may be socially isolated.”
“If you need to provide direct care to someone at risk from hot weather… the most important advice is to ensure they stay hydrated, keep cool and know how to keep their homes cool.”
Warming up today but the heat really arrives tomorrow
Like last week not everywhere will experience the exceptional heat
The Met Office said there was a “low chance” that last week’s record temperature would be beaten again, but that large parts of the country would see “four or even five consecutive days of incredibly warm temperatures” before cold air moves in overnight on Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Conditions are expected to stay “hot and humid” next week with “chances of thundery showers”.
Commenting on how long the hot weather is expected to last, Chris Bulmer – Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the Met Office – said: “The hot airmass will remain over much of England and Wales until early next week, so we’ll continue to see maximum temperatures in the low to mid-30s Celsius as the heatwaves continues.”
Updated Greater Manchester and UK-wide forecasts can be found via the Met Office website here.
For further information and guidance amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, do refer to official sources via gov.uk/coronavirus.
#EnjoySummerSafely
Trending
Eurovision 2023 grand final to be screened live in cinemas across the UK
Emily Sergeant
The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across the UK for the first time ever.
With fans from across the globe set to descend on Liverpool in a couple of months time as the UK hosts the 2023 edition of the world’s biggest song competition on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine, those who weren’t lucky enough to secure tickets will instead by able to head to their nearest cinema to experience the action on the big screen.
Distributor CinemaLive has announced it will be broadcasting the Eurovision grand final show live in cinemas nationwide for the first time ever.
It means that Eurovision fans up and down the country who missed out on grabbing tickets to the final – which sold out in under 40 minutes after going on sale earlier this month – will be able to come together to celebrate what is set to be the “biggest, brightest, boldest music party of the year”.
Eurovision 2023 grand final to be screened live in cinemas across the UK / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
500 cinemas across the UK, including several here in Greater Manchester, will be screening the grand final on Saturday 13 May.
Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman are just some of the cinema chains taking part.
Vue Manchester Printworks, Odeon Great Northern, and Everyman Manchester are the Manchester city centre venues lined-up to screen the event – with cinemas in the The Lowry Outlet Mall, Trafford Centre, Didsbury, Heaton Moor, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, and more also set to welcome Eurovision fans through their doors.
Event organisers say the screenings will encourage singalongs and fancy dress.
“We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the first time ever,” said John Travers from CinemaLive.
“We want audiences to enjoy themselves, so get your fancy dress on, and come together to enjoy this historic occasion on the big screen.”
With an illustrious entertainment career spanning over four decades, O’Grady may have been most well-known and loved by British audiences as a comedian, presenter, broadcaster, actor, writer, and the former drag queen Lily Savage – but he was also one of the nation’s most-famous dog lovers and animal rights advocates.
O’Grady was a longtime supporter and Ambassador of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, and helped raise the profile of the shelter to millions around the world through the hugely-popular ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs.
Battersea says there’s “no doubting” that O’Grady’s influence has helped thousands of rescue animals find new homes over the years.
Over several series of the show, O’Grady would make an effort to spend quality time with these animals and show-off all of their quirks and loveable qualities, which went a long way to proving that rescue animals “really are the best pets”.
Paul O’Grady has died aged 67 / Credit: ITV | Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Paying an emotional tribute to O’Grady following his passing today, Peter Laurie – Chief Executive of Battersea – said: “To many, Paul O’Grady was the immensely popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth [but] Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.
“Paul had an extremely hands on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages.
“He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life.
“He will be dearly missed.”
We’re deeply saddened to learn that our wonderful, kind friend and beloved Ambassador Paul O’Grady MBE has passed away. He will be so dearly missed by all of us at Battersea. Our love and thoughts go out to all of Paul's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/hjfwBcu7sz
Since the news of O’Grady’s passing was announced, touching tributes have been pouring in in their hundreds from right across the world of entertainment and on social media.
Countless famous names have shared supportive messages and memories.
Emotional tributes to O’Grady have been flooding in all morning, both from those who knew and had worked with him in the past, and from those who admired his work and all that he achieved and had stood for throughout his respected career.